Guidelines for Memorials in Churches

The Church of Ireland has many examples of memorials ranging from large wall mounted monuments to small plaques, from stained glass windows to pulpits and other items of church furniture. In some places robes, kneelers and altar linen have a memorial character too. Some of these memorials are works of art in their own right and, as the work of significant sculptors and artists, add an important historical dimension to the parish church. In a number of cases we have only recently become aware of the intrinsic value of certain memorials which had long been taken for granted and rarely properly studied. For example, the survey of stained glass currently being undertaken has identified previously unknown works of art.

In the event of a request to relocate a memorial to another church, the permission of the RCB must be sought. At the time it was donated the memorial was an outright gift to the church and so became in effect the property of the RCB. However, there can be situations in which descendants of donors somehow continue to think they 'own' what was long since given to the church. It is important that the wisdom or otherwise of moving a memorial, which may be in a fragile condition, as well as its suitability or otherwise for the proposed new location is taken into consideration. Some memorials certainly deserve to be retained if at all possible; at least a few may have finished their course and have little intrinsic merit. Where moving a memorial is deemed expedient, the goodwill as opposed to the consent of the original donor family may be worth procuring, not least where costs are involved... It goes without saying that those responsible for caring for churches are aware of the importance of the memorials they may contain and of the differing maintenance requirements. A case in point is the proper care and protection of stained glass windows.

The Historic Churches Advisory committee is aware of the needs of some parishes to mark the loss of individuals or organisations by erecting memorials. The Committee has an advisory role concerning good practice in caring for historic churches and feels it may be of assistance to offer advice to Select Vestries and others for use when a new memorial is under consideration. Past generations commissioned high quality contemporary works to place in churches in memory of their family or friends; it is important that this tradition of commissioning of work of our time is continued. It enhances our historic churches and encourages creativity amongst artists. The Memorial Arts Charity was established in 1998 to help people commission well-designed memorials. It may be accessed on www.memorialsbyartists.co.uk and includes references to Irish craftspeople. So often high quality modern work - despite rumours to the contrary - fits into a historic church better than (say) imitation 'churchy' Gothic. Again, those who seek to install new glass should turn their attention to the artist in that medium rather than to the factory.

The following are some of the questions which should be asked -

Have the family given adequate consideration to the nature of the memorial, its location in the church and the likely costs? So often such projects over-run financially, second-rate short-cuts are taken and there is a fear of embarrassing the family if honest views are expressed about the quality of the project.
Are the members of the family aware of the very clear procedures which must be followed before any design is approved. These involve not only the Select Vestry but the Bishop, in many cases the Diocesan Council and/or its property committee, the Representative Body and its appropriate committees. No work may commence until all necessary approval has been obtained and this may take some time - the Diocesan Secretary is always the right person to advise about the correct procedural way forward. Be prepared that the 'higher' authorities in the church may well seek changes or improvements, even in regard to such matters as inscriptions. This is important as local Select Vestries cannot always look entirely objectively at the desires of a familiar donor, who may well be one of their members.

In the event of the memorial being considered inappropriate in form or location are the donors prepared as a result to reconsider the type and position of the memorial?
Are the donors and Select Vestry aware that, if the church involved is a protected structure in the Republic of Ireland, proposed alterations are likely to involve the Planning Authority which may in turn be guided by the opinions of the Historic Churches Advisory Committee? A timely word with the local authority conservation officer can be very helpful here if pitfalls are to be avoided.
Is an appropriate professional - the diocesan architect for example - advising the donors and the Vestry on the aesthetics of the memorial and have they visited the church in person?
Are the family willing to make a donation to the church for the continuing maintenance of the memorial without, of course, assuming a continuing proprietorial role in relation to it?
Would the Vestry, perhaps where ideas for a significant capital project are being sought, consider inviting an appropriate professional to advise on the needs of the church which could mean that the memorial might meet a liturgical or other requirement? Often donor families can be genuinely pleased if imaginative ideas that would never otherwise have occurred to them are sown in their heads. They and the parish can thereby be delivered from thoughtlessly following a predictable road of supposed pious tradition.
If no new ideas emerge or are feasible, would the vestry consider advising that an appropriate memorial might be the maintenance or repair of an original feature, or perhaps a musical instrument, with a discreet plaque to say so?
Has the Vestry considered setting up a church maintenance fund with a list of those who subscribe to it - either as memorials or donations?
When, at the end of the day, individual items are being procured as memorials, it is a good rule of thumb that they are useful as well as beautiful. For example, a church can be enriched by some modern communion plate but both it and the older vessels should be rotated in USE - there is far too much hidden and unused silver in the Church of Ireland.
We will often describe and inscribe our memorials as being 'to the glory of God'. We should always take care that these words mean what they say and that commemorating loved ones is viewed as a thank-offering to God for their lives. Memorial gifts should be aesthetically appropriate, of the highest quality in terms of materials and workmanship, practical where possible and above all capable of increasing the sense of the beauty of holiness without creating an atmosphere of clutter.